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Who are we?

Carol: I live in Northern Indiana, USA. I love a variety of needlework and all things shiny I have been sewing for 50 years but never made a quilt until his year. After taking an online piecing class, I know I will never embrace piecing traditional quilts with lots of little pieces. Deadlines are a challenge for me. Sometimes creative thinking is too, as I am definitely a left brain thinker. I have been blogging for about 10 years at https://beadsandbirds.blogspot.com

Catherine: I live in Scotland, near the sea. At the end of 2011 I got interested in quilt-making, having originally been taught English paper piecing by my grandma as a child. I am fascinated by abstract shapes and textures and this is often reflected in my quilts though I also like making pictures. I love all things arty and as well as sewing, I'm also an occasional printmaker. In all things I'm still finding my way. I am a terrible procrastinator, partly because I find it hard to commit to a plan until the very last moment! I blog at www.knottedcotton.com and can be found on instagram as @knottedcotton.

Fiona: I started cross-stitching many moons ago and expanded into quilting when I joined an evening class ten years ago. My horizons expanded when I discovered the world of online Bees and challenges and I haven't looked back since. I love to try new things and even if I am not always successful I enjoy the challenge of moving out of my comfort zone. Away from sewing I love to travel and my destinations and discoveries often inform my stitching. Since our move back to the West Coast of Scotland in 2016 inspiration is now right on my doorstep too. I blog about my travels and stitching at celticthistlestitches.blogspot.co.uk

Gwen: I chose the name Textile Ranger, to reflect on how I wander through many facets of the world of textiles, including natural dyeing, weaving, and quilting. I live on a tree farm in a small community outside of Houston, Texas. My local quilt group is warm and supportive, but focused on traditional quilts. I hope that the Endeavourers, being a more wide-ranging group, will be a source for new insights and ideas. www.textileranger.com

Janine: I blog at https://rainbowhare.com I love story and illustration and I began my blog because I wanted to make pictures and fabric is my go to medium. I have, however, never really pursued that as much as I hoped. My making for the first few years revolved mostly around quilting, then I started to focus more on knitting and crochet...sometimes a cloth doll or felt hare...Then, during the past two years I was part of an art quilt group and I really enjoyed the challenge of experimenting with different fabrics and learning about new techniques. I'm very much looking forward to working alongside my fellow Endeavourers and seeing how we all respond to the quarterly challenges ahead.

Ruth: Hi, my name is Ruth and I can be found at www.craftycornerdesigns.com and blog at Charly and Ben's Crafty Corner. I enjoy documenting my patchwork and quilting efforts with the odd post about our dogs! Gordon and I live in Limerick, Ireland with our now, two dogs, Maggie and Charly (a Bassett and a Jack Russell). Maggie is about 5 times he size of Charly but that doesn't mean anything, Charly is the boss of the house despite being petite like myself! I enjoy quilt design and am trying to embrace improv. I love the end results but find it hard not to plan everything up front. Pattern writing and workshops lately have been my focus so I am looking forward to these creative challenges throughout 2018 and stretching myself and mostly to have lots of fun. Looking forward to sharing with you over the coming months!

Nancy: I am Nancy. I live 45 minutes from Lake Michigan, in a smaller-sized rural town in West Michigan, U.S.A. I moved here from Detroit to begin my elementary teaching position and am now retired. My mother had me hand-stiching doll clothes and dish towels as a child. I taught myself to sew my own clothes as a teen and college student. When clothes became cheaper to buy than make, I started quilting. I’ve quilted for more than 40 years. With quilting, I “try it all.” I like bright, cheery colors and symmetrical patterns. I am trying to breakout into modern quilting. I enjoy working with online quilters, which gives me a world view of quilting. My husband is my best and honest quilt critic; if he likes the quilt, I know I got it right! I have designed patterns for myself and some to sell through Cut Loose Press. I blog at Patchwork Breeze and am on Instagram and Facebook.

Martha: I live in California with my husband and our three pugs. I guess without knowing it I inherited my love for sewing and hand stitching from my mom. I loved sitting next to her sewing machine while she was sewing and talk to her. I would ask her questions about the process, but never really tried to learn. My mom always did all the sewing for me. However, when I lost my mom to breast cancer I was completely lost. I told my husband that maybe picking up a hobby would be a good thing. So he got me a sewing machine for Christmas. I began reading blogs and books about sewing and that’s when I discovered quilting. Now every time I sit by my sewing machine I remember all those little moments with my mom. Blog www.weekenddoings.com

Kay: I learnt to quilt in Brisbane of all places. Originally from Essex we went there for my partner's job. I passed a cute little Queenslander house called Peppermint Stitches which turned out to be a quilting shop. I was amazed by the quilts on the walls and the wonderful fabrics. They were about to start a beginners class in a couple of weeks so I signed up and thoroughly enjoyed it. Brisbane turned out to be a great place to learn as there are so many quilting shops and fantastic exhibitions. We returned to Essex nearly 3 years ago now and I am currently in my second year of City and Guilds in patchwork and quilting as a distance learner. I love to create my own designs - the only time I have used someone else's pattern was when I learnt to quilt. I have just passed the design element of C &
G. I have recently become more interested in art quilts as a result of the course and am looking forward to seeing everyone's creations.

Paula: I'm Paula, blogging at Paula B Quilts. I've been Quilting since the 1980's and my main focus has always been about color, ever since I studied art for interior design. I'm retired and live in Wisconsin near my daughter's family. I grew up near the Atlantic Ocean and then lived by the Pacific, and I miss the salt water so much. I don't get out much, so blogging is my connection to all my quilter friends. I did art Quilting years ago, designing my own wallhangings and it's my creative outlet. Finding modern and improv Quilts on Pinterest has fired up my need to do my own work again rather than following patterns. Endeavorers is an exciting group and I'm happy to be doing the challenges.

Wendy: I live in a little home in Minnesota with my husband. We have two adult kids. I spend much of my time quilting. My favorite work lately is improv, which I've just begun to "learn". I enjoy the challenge of trying something new with fabric, needle and thread. Instagram @piecefulwendy Blog at at http://www.piecefulthoughts.com/

Janie: Hi I'm Janie and art, color, sewing and fabric have always drawn me in. I enjoy learning and teaching different techniques. I think a good teacher learns more than her students. Crazyvictoriana.blogspot.com is where I blog and share color/quilt ideas and process. Why did I name my blog Crazyvictoriana? That's easy, I was very much enjoying crazy quilting at the time and the Victorian era was so rich in textiles and amazing handwork, the two just go together as far as I'm concerned. I live with family on the West Coast; the Pacific Ocean is a big inspiration for me. I'm looking forward to participating in some of the Endeavourers' Challenges. Thank you for letting me be part of it.